By Kimber An
Like many, I’ve been rather upset by the raid on the polygamists’ compound in Texas. However, it also brought to mind an anthropological theory of mine – romance is the catalyst for the societal evolution.
In a totally male-dominated society, men corral their women and train them to behave like dogs. Children have no more identity than cattle. Childcare is entirely provided by mothers, which means sons acquire a narrow definition of womanhood and daughters learn to take the crap. Aside from the technological advances brought on by incessant warfare, humanity stagnates.
Puppies die in the streets and no one cares.
Men need the balance of women as equals.
If Man must win the affection of Woman, he must prove himself worthy. In order to prove himself worthy, he must do a variety of things. He must behave in a considerate manner. He must learn to negotiate peace. He must bathe regularly. He must become a sensitive lover.
I believe God created Man and Woman to be this way and this is why women are capable of multiple orgasms. When a man realizes the incredible experience of selfless love, it motivates him to greatness!
It’s no wonder to me the Romance genre has boomed alongside the acquisition of women’s rights.
The Romance genre teaches and/or reinforces the fact that a woman deserves the love, respect, and complete devotion of her man. In my observation, women cannot experience the full joys of love unless they believe they deserve it. If women cannot believe they deserve true love, they cannot insist upon men proving themselves worthy by winning their affections.
The Worthy Man and Deserving Woman form a pair-bond and their love and devotion carries over into the shared parenting of their children. Their sons learn to respect women and their daughters learn to tell the difference between real men and jerkwads. These children grow up emotionally balanced and intelligent. They obtain excellent educations and go on to advance society by building space stations on the Moon and finding cures for cancer. They also continue the cycle by forming pair-bonds of their own.
So, bring on the Romance novels! Next time you’re in the grocery store and you pick one up, just remember you’re contributing to the betterment of our society.
No related posts.
Romances DO play a very important role.
I know that I, as a child of abuse, wouldn’t be happily married to a wonderful husband without haveing read them.
Ha!
I was wondering how long you’d resist the dark call of the RomancingTheBlog guest post, Kimber An.
(Crazy cackle)
We’s caughts ourselves anutter one!
I like this, Kimber An. If someone asks what I’m doing to make the world a better place, I can say reading and writing romance.
I always found “The Naked Ape” by Desmond Morris fascinating — he never addressed romance novels, though.
Kimber Chin – thank you!
Actually, I’ve had two other columns posted here. I can’t remember their titles, but I think one was about the Standard Issue Sex Scene. It was over a year ago.
Terry – I always found Desmond Morris fascinating too.
I found my anthropology class in college as helpful for my storytelling as, if not more helpful than, any of my English or History classes. I certainly don’t claim to be any kind of expert, but it is fun to theorize. 
Heck, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger (and provides us great material for villains).
It was only physically and mentally, thank goodness. I had 5 siblings in the same boat and you know what? When dear ol’ Dad wasn’t around, we had a blast. Such is the resilience of youth.
Kids don’t need a heck of a lot. I think sometimes we forget that.
Well said.
Great post, Kimber An! We need to start a movement. I’m convinced and ready to start changing the world!
Gwyneth
Oh, thank you, Gwyneth. But, start? Honey, you’re already on a roll!
I’m reading PROTECT AND SERVE right now and will be reviewing at Enduring Romance this Thursday. 
Heather, thanks. I think Science Fiction Romance is particularly well-suited to this.
Um, actually not all men treat all women like dogs as soon as they have power. Some do. Many more I would argue don’t. Basically this post is saying that men are inherently evil until women straighten them out — unless we don’t think that treating women like dogs is evil, but it sounds evil enough to me.
Not evil. *Incomplete.* Women straightening out men suggests the women have the power over the men. Also not what I’m saying. I’m talking about balance and partnership.
balance and partnership, I like. Maybe I’ve already been straightened out.
Wonderful post
Thank you so much for this article! The next time I hear anyone insinuate that romance equals trash, I’m forwarding this.
Proud to read and write romance,
Amber